The Butambala-based wildlife facility – CTC (Conservation Through Commercialization) Conservation Center – continues to soar, its recent win in the Explore Uganda Tourism Excellence Awards a testament to the thriving venture.
CTC Conservation Center was selected as the winner of the Transformational Tourism Project Award by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities citing the center’s immense contribution to Uganda’s conservation efforts.
The awards were part of the World Tourism Day celebrations held in Arua City, West Nile on Saturday under the global theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”.
According to the Ministry, this recognition celebrates CTC’s outstanding contribution towards building vibrant, inclusive and resilient conservation practices in Uganda.
“Your efforts in wildlife conservation and ecotourism have not only inspired many but also strengthened Uganda’s position as a premier tourism destination,” the Ministry stated adding that the Center’s emphasis on animal welfare and community collaboration is exemplary.
CTC Conservation Center is a pioneering private initiative for ex-situ conservation, dedicated to Conservation Through Commercialization.
It contributes to among others; preservation of endangered species – wild dogs (also known as African Painted Dogs) being a vivid case for Uganda – where the species has been functionally extinct for decades, with the global population at about 1400.
Apart from rare sightings for painted dogs in some National Parks including Kidepo Valley, the species is being reintroduced in the country by CTC, their population steadily increasing with fresh baby news, bringing the number to 11.
The ex-situ conservation approach which includes captive breeding programs and gene banks aims at among others; protecting threatened species and maintaining genetic diversity for future reintroduction, education and research purposes.
The Ministry also recognized the Center’s founder and Director Mr. Thomas Price for the dynamic conservation strategy that has paved way for East Africa’s largest captively managed lion population.
“He has successfully bred the African Golden Cat, developed one of the largest lion populations in Equatorial Africa and implemented conservation programs for wild dogs, antelope, reptiles and tortoises among other species. His leadership emphasizes animal welfare, rewilding and community collaboration,” the Ministry stated.
For CTC, creating an environment where people can closely interact with animals to create a bond which in turn births compassion, is key.
According to Price, people who have had a safe, guided encounter with animals, learnt more about them and developed a bond with them are less likely to hurt them. CTC brings this close interaction with animals to Uganda’s conservation sphere; debunking myths about certain wild species, educating masses and creating awareness on conservation ideals.
“In the past, there were slim to no opportunities really to get up-close with the animals and I think we are doing a lot in terms of exposure and awareness so people can actually bond with the animals which is something that was offered on a very limited scale in other places around Uganda,” Price told PrimeNews on Tuesday in a brief interview.
He added, “That is what we are striving for – to bring people closer to the animals, to identify with them and to bond with them in order to grow compassion for them. So, I believe that way we have transformed the sector quite a bit because we offer something that wasn’t as accessible before.”
Conservation Through Commercialization
Uganda’s conservation sector partly depends on donations from line NGOs, foreign aid and collaborative financing.
Asked what informed his conservation through commercialization approach, Price noted that Uganda is capable of financing her own conservation strategies, one of the sustainable ways being optimized commercialization.
“To be quite frank I consider myself a nationalist, I don’t believe in foreign intervention in countries, I believe each country should have its own agenda and do what is best for them. You don’t see foreign NGOs meddling in American or European affairs and we shouldn’t here either. I believe we should have our own way of making money, be self-financing and not remain dependent on foreign donations which is just a tool of neo-colonialism,” Price said.
Conservation experts point to harnessing conservation credits, the carbon sink potential, Public-Private Partnerships and transnational collaborations as sustainable conservation financing tools.
Price believes Uganda’s long term conservation success cannot rely indefinitely on foreign donations.
“By strengthening ranching and community wildlife conservancies, we can create sustainable commercial conservation initiatives that generate direct financial benefits for local communities. This approach not only ensures community ownership and resilience, but also transforms wildlife into a valued economic asset, fostering conservation that is both self-financing and nationally driven,” he said.
Speaking about the award, Price commended the government for recognizing CTC’s efforts towards conservation, noting that it is also a push to do even better.
“This award means a lot to us, it means that the government appreciates our effort which we are very happy and proud about and it gives us motivation to continue going and strive for bigger things,” he said.
The other awardees in the Explore Uganda Tourism Excellence Awards included;
Sudhir Ruparelia – International Tourism Investment of the year
Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board – Cultural Experience Award
Kaynela Farms – Domestic Tourism Promotion Award
Hotel Le Confidetiel – Local Tourism Investment
Lily Ajarova – Tourism Personality of the Year
